Spatio-temporal interpolation

Manfred Fahle

Abstract

The human visual system is able to almost perfectly interpolate the motion path of a discontinuously moving target, given short temporal and small spatial intervals between the stations of the motion. Space and time become partly interchangeable under these conditions, since a purely temporal delay between two stimuli might be perceived. as a lateral offset or as an offset in depth. The ability for spatio-temporal interpolation enables us to perceive motion when a sequence of stationary pictures is presented, as in motion pictures. Another benefit is the perceptual synthesis of a complete object from the sequential presentation of its parts. The understanding of the mechanisms underlying this interpolation has improved to the point that a concept can be proposed for spatio-temporal interpolation both in two dimensions, such as in some forms of apparent motion, and in depth, as in the Pulfrich effect.

keywords: Apparent motion, hyperacuity, Pulfrich effect, reconstruction of motion, trajectory.